As a parent, you want your child to have an amazing bike that they enjoy riding. But with so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose.
While you may be tempted to go for a cheaper option, getting a high-quality kids bike will pay off in the long run. In this blog post, we’ll look at the benefits of choosing a premium kids bike, the types of bikes available, and why sustainability should be a consideration. Whether you need a balance bike for a 3 year old, or a road bike for a 10 year old, we have you covered.
One of the biggest benefits of getting a quality kids bike is durability and longevity. These bikes are built with better materials and construction methods, making them more resilient to wear and tear.
They can withstand the rough and tumble your little one will put them through and can last through multiple children.
On the other hand, cheaper bikes are often made with lower-quality materials, such as plastic or cheap metal, which can easily break or bend. This can lead to frustration for you and your child if the frame gets bent or parts break.
At Bike Club we use well-built bikes to our advantage as part of a circular business model. When you exchange a bike with us, our mechanics will service the bike and make sure it is ready to be used by another child as a rebike.
Another benefit of choosing a premium kids bike is an improved riding experience. These bikes are designed with better components across the board. From the frame geometry to their gears and brakes, everything has been made to fit around a child's proportions, making the riding experience more natural.
They also tend to be lighter, which means your child will have an easier time manoeuvring the bike and can ride for longer periods of time without getting tired.
Cheaper bikes may not have the same level of components, making them harder to ride and less efficient. They are usually heavier, which can make it harder for your child to control (and easier for them to get fed up).
Perhaps the most important benefit of investing in a quality kids bike is safety. These bikes are built with safety in mind, with better brakes and sturdy lightweight frames to help your child stay in control.
They may also come with additional safety features, such as reflective materials or lights, which can make your child more visible on the road.
Cheaper bikes will often not have the same level of safety features. Also, if they have a less comfortable frame geometry making them harder to ride, this will also make them more dangerous. For more on this, check out our bike safety guide.
Riding a bike can have many benefits for children, including improved balance, coordination, and fitness. Getting your little one on a well-made bike can help them develop these skills more effectively. If the bike is easy to ride then they will pick up cycling quicker and enjoy it more.
A great bike can also help your child develop a lifelong love for cycling and the outdoors.
Finally, getting a quality kids bike is a sustainable choice. These bikes are built to last, which means they don’t need get the tool box out as frequently as you would with cheaper bikes.
As mentioned above, this Bike Club offers top-quality bikes for this reason. We want to reduce waste as much as we can by reusing bikes in a more sustainable circular model. We also work with brands that care about reducing their own carbon footprints in the bike manufacturing process.
On the other hand, cheap bikes are more prone to break and degrade over time. They are less likely to get as many uses making them a less sustainable option.
Now that we’ve explored the benefits of choosing a high-quality kids bike, let’s take a look at the different types of bikes available. Understanding the different kinds can help you choose the right bike for your child’s needs and preferences.
Balance bikes are designed for the youngest riders, typically aged 18 months to 5 years old, and are an excellent choice for kids who are learning to balance and steer. Balance bikes have no pedals, and children learn to push themselves forward with their feet, using their balance to stay upright.
This method allows children to develop a sense of balance and control, making the transition to a pedal bike much easier when the time comes. Because balance bikes are often the first bike a child will ride, choosing a top-quality model that is lightweight, durable, and adjustable ensures a comfortable and safe riding experience.
Some of the great balance bikes for up to 5 year olds we offer include:
First pedal bikes are ideal for children who have already outgrown their balance bikes and are ready to take on a new challenge.
When looking for a first pedal bike, it’s important to consider the size of the bike, the weight, and the quality of the components. The bike should allow them to comfortably reach the handlebars and pedals while keeping their feet on the ground. The weight of the bike should be manageable for the child, allowing them to easily manoeuvre and control it.
We have an excellent range of first pedal bikes for 4 years olds to bikes for 7 year olds, including:
Hybrid bikes are designed for both on-road and off-road use, making them a versatile choice for kids who love to explore. They typically feature wider tires, suspension forks, and a range of gears to tackle different types of terrain.
When choosing a hybrid or off-road bike, it’s important to consider the child’s riding ability, the type of terrain they’ll be riding on, and the quality of the components. A well-made bike with high-quality components will ensure a smoother, more enjoyable ride for the child. We have a variety available, form hybrid bikes for 5 year olds to bikes for 11 year olds.
Road bikes are designed for speed and efficiency, making them a great choice for kids who are interested in road cycling and racing. They typically feature lightweight frames, narrow tires, and drop handlebars for a more aerodynamic riding position. Our range features road bikes for 6 year olds and beyond.
BMX bikes are designed for freestyle riding and racing on dirt tracks, ramps, and other obstacles. They typically have a smaller frame size, wide tires, and a strong, durable build to handle the demands of BMX riding.
One of the great kids bmx bikes we offer is the WeThePeople Nova 20.5:
Mountain bikes are designed for off-road terrain, such as dirt paths, rocky trails, and mountainous terrain. They are equipped with wider tyres that provide better traction on uneven surfaces.
Some mountain bikes also have a suspension system that absorbs shock, making them more comfortable to ride on rough terrain.
High-end mountain bikes often have advanced features such as carbon fibre frames, hydraulic disc brakes, and quick gear shifting. We recommend the following:
Getting a good quality kids bike is a wise decision for parents who want to ensure their children have a safe and enjoyable riding experience. Quality kids bikes offer benefits such as improved riding experience, safety, developmental benefits, and sustainability.
With Bike Club you can have access to the best kids bikes and make sure your child always has a superb bike that is the right size. We offer complete flexibility allowing you to exchange your bike anytime. This way your child can seamlessly transition onto a larger bike when they outgrow their current one. Sign up to Bike Club today to get access to our excellent range of kids bikes.
There are many activities that children can do to stay active, and one of the most fun and beneficial is riding a bike. Even toddlers can get started with cycling as soon as they can stand! Read on for our reasons as to why you should get your toddler a bike.
First of all, it is vital that you get a bike that fits your child well. Measuring your toddler for a bike will ensure that they have a safe and comfortable riding experience. The best way is to measure your child's inseam.
To do this, stand your toddler against a wall and place a book between their legs as high as is comfortable. Then measure from the top of the book to the floor. You can then input this measurement on our bike finder page or our balance bike page to find the perfect bike for your little one.
Toddler bikes range from balance bikes to first pedal bikes, and tricycles. When starting we recommend balance bikes, these are the ideal choice for learning to ride. Kids balance bikes come without pedals or stabilisers, with the focus on the child learning how to keep upright on the bike.
They are favoured over tricycles and bikes with stabilisers by many experts when it comes to learning balance and coordination.
As they grow bigger and more confident, they may be ready for a kid's first pedal bike. These are bigger bikes that will teach them how to pedal and are suitable for children aged 3 to 6 years old.
Balance bikes are the best option for starting toddlers on their cycling journey. You can refer to our best bikes for learners blog for more information. We have a range of good quality balance bikes for toddlers at Bike Club including:
The next step up from a balance bike is a first pedal bike which will add pedalling into the mix. We have an even larger collection of first pedal bikes, such as:
Being able to cycle is an invaluable life skill and giving them a bike at a young age will give them a great head start. Cycling has a range of physical and mental health benefits and is also lots of fun!
Starting a toddler on a balance bike will help them learn the balance and coordination needed to soon be riding a pedal bike with confidence.
Learning to ride a bike can be a great confidence booster for toddlers. When children are first learning to ride, they may feel nervous and unsure. As they practise and improve cycling, they will gain confidence in their ability to learn new things.
Riding a bike requires gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and agility. Learning these skills will help them as they grow and have to do more complicated things. Riding a bike can help them develop these skills while having fun and enjoying the outdoors.
Riding a bike is a great form of exercise, even for toddlers. It can help strengthen their muscles, and promote overall physical fitness. Plus, it's a fun way to get them moving and tire them out before bed!
Riding a bike can also help toddlers develop a sense of independence. They will feel a sense of freedom as they ride their bike, and they will learn to make their own decisions about controlling the bike. It will force them to learn how to manage speed and direction to get where they want to go.
Riding bikes together can be a great bonding experience for families. It's a fun activity that everyone can enjoy together, and it provides an opportunity for quality time spent outdoors in the fresh air. Going on bike rides together can create memories that will last a lifetime and promote an active lifestyle.
In today's digital age, it's important for children to have regular outside playtime and exercise. Riding a bike is a great way to do this and encourage exploration, which can help toddlers develop a love for nature and the outdoors. Riding can also be a fun way to get some fresh air and sunshine, which can have a positive impact on a toddler's physical and mental health.
Perhaps the most important reason, riding a bike is simply a fun activity that kids love. Going on adventures in your local area and getting muddy can be a simple pleasure for you and your child.
Witnessing your child's growth in confidence and progress in bike riding skills can be a source of great pride and accomplishment for you.
The age at which a toddler can pedal a bike varies from child to child, but typically toddlers start to develop the coordination and strength needed to pedal a bike around 2-3 years of age. However, it's important to remember that every child develops at their own speed.
We advise starting with a balance bike. This will help your little one develop their balance and coordination before progressing to a pedal bike.
This varies and depends on the child's experience. Many 3-year-olds will be able to ride balance bikes with enough practice and some may even be on pedal bikes.
It's important to keep in mind that some kids need more time to develop their coordination than others. There is no set age that a child should be riding by and anytime is a good time to learn.
Pedalling may be too complex for many two-year-olds but if you believe your child is ready then you can refer to our blog on teaching your child how to ride a bike.
This handy guide will help teach your child everything about learning to ride a bike including the correct riding position, choosing a quality bike to ride on, pedalling and steering, and how to use the brake levers.
The ideal time to transition your toddler from a balance bike to a pedal bike is when they have developed good balance and steering control on their balance bike, and have shown an interest in riding a pedal bike.
Typically, children are ready to transition from a balance bike to a pedal bike between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.
Make the transition gradually and give your child plenty of practice time in a safe and controlled environment. Learning to pedal can be frustrating so make sure to give them help and encouragement.
Yes, for all the reasons stated above! We highly recommend getting your little one a balance bike to help inspire a lifelong love of cycling.
At Bike Club we offer a range of kid's bikes on an affordable subscription basis. With a range of styles and wheel sizes to choose from including mountain bikes and road bikes, you can find the perfect bike for your child. Join Bike Club today and have complete flexibility to exchange your child's bike when they grow out of it.